Angling: Suddenly, out of nowhere, I got the fight of my life

Although bright and with several fish visibly moving, I could tell that it was not going to be easy. The days of fish chasing a lure or fly seem to have gone and it is back to slow retrieves.

I started off at the top end in the shallow water with a single Damsel. After an hour or so I had a couple of offers but nothing would lock on.

It was well into the afternoon when I decided to try the smaller pond. I slowly covered the water all the way down to the bottom corner and was about to get the fight of my life. Casting diagonally across the pond a big bow wave veered towards my fly before disappearing.

Thinking the fish was gone I carried on then retrieved to the last six foot from the bank. Suddenly out of nowhere my line tightened as I saw it being hauled out into mid water.

It was game on and this big bow, which I reckon could not have been far off double figures, showed itself for the first time. After 15 minutes or so I thought it was tiring and as I tried to net the big fish it slipped the hook and was off leaving me cursing.

It was time to call it a day but I will be back soon.